It has long been recognized that there is considerable heterogeneity in individual risk taking behavior, but little is known about the distribution of risk taking types. We present a parsimonious characterization of risk taking behavior by estimating a finite mixture model for three different experimental data sets, two Swiss and one Chinese, over a large number of real gains and losses. We find two major types of individuals: In all three data sets, the choices of roughly 80% of the subjects exhibit significant deviations from linear probability weighting of varying strength, consistent with prospect theory. Twenty percent of the subjects weight probabilities near linearly and behave essentially as expected value maximizers. Moreover, individuals are cleanly assigned to one type with probabilities close to unity. The reliability and robustness of our classification suggest using a mix of preference theories in applied economic modeling.
MLA
Bruhin, Adrian, et al. “Risk and Rationality: Uncovering Heterogeneity in Probability Distortion.” Econometrica, vol. 78, .no 4, Econometric Society, 2010, pp. 1375-1412, https://doi.org/10.3982/ECTA7139
Chicago
Bruhin, Adrian, Helga Fehr‐Duda, and Thomas Epper. “Risk and Rationality: Uncovering Heterogeneity in Probability Distortion.” Econometrica, 78, .no 4, (Econometric Society: 2010), 1375-1412. https://doi.org/10.3982/ECTA7139
APA
Bruhin, A., Fehr‐Duda, H., & Epper, T. (2010). Risk and Rationality: Uncovering Heterogeneity in Probability Distortion. Econometrica, 78(4), 1375-1412. https://doi.org/10.3982/ECTA7139
By clicking the "Accept" button or continuing to browse our site, you agree to first-party and session-only cookies being stored on your device. Cookies are used to optimize your experience and anonymously analyze website performance and traffic.